Apparatus for providing object to be medically examined by blowing

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing an object to be medically examined by blowing is provided where air is blown into a container in which an object to be medically examined is stored, so as to make the uniform distribution state of the object to be medically examined from the inside of the container, thereby ensuring the sameness of the object to be medically examined, which is to be extracted from the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/120,043, filed Dec. 11, 2020 (U.S. Pat. No. 11,519,829), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/689,054, filed Nov. 19,2019 (U.S. Pat. No. 10,895,729), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/290,774, filed Mar. 1, 2019 (U.S. Pat. No.10,520,405), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/770,386, filed Aug. 25, 2015, which is a 371 National Phase ofPCT/KR2014/000129, filed Jan. 7, 2014, which claims priority to KRApplication No. 10-2013-0020723, filed on Feb. 26, 2013, all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing objects to beexamined (examination objects) by blowing, configured in such a way asto: blow air into a container in which the examination objects arestored, so that the examination objects are spread in a uniformdistribution state in the container, thereby ensuring the sameness ofthe examination objects to be extracted for examination.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to inspect objects such as cells, etc. through inspectioninstruments such as a microscope, etc., a preset quantity of objectsmust be placed on the slide. To this end, according to convention art,objects are applied onto the slide with a brush.

In addition, an instrument has been developed that can collect contentby using a piston. A solution tube and a cell inspection instrumentaccording to conventional art are described as follows. The conventionalsolution tube is used to mix cells, such as cervical cells, etc.,collected by a picking tool, in solution in order to inspect the cells.The solution tube is configured as a container that places the pickingtool that has collected cells in the inside and is closed with a cap.The solution tube requires a shaking operation to mix the cells withsolution, which is performed by a user's hand operation or otherdevices. The solution tube is restricted to be used for storingsolution. Therefore, conventional instruments for transferring cellsonto a slide have been equipped with an additional container for storingsolution. That is, conventional instruments need additional containersas well as the solution tube.

In particular, the container of the conventional instrument for storingsolution is configured to be open in the upper part, so that thesolution will unavoidably be exposed to air. In addition, thecylinder-type body supports a filter on which a collecting membrane isplaced and the piston moving out of/into the body sucks solution fromthe container. The body and container are coupled to each other byscrews.

Conventional art has an additional solution tube for spreading cells,smeared over a brush, to the solution, and operates in such a way that:the solution tube is shaken so that cells are sufficiently spread in thesolution; the solution with cells is poured into another container; asuction tool sucks the solution while it is tightly attached to thebottom of the filter; and the cells filtered by the filter are rubbedand collected on the slide.

However, when the container is separated from the body in order to movethe collecting membrane close to the slide, the mixed solution remainingin the container is poured down and useless due to gravity. That is,remaining mixed solution cannot be re-used and may, if re-used, beinsanitary.

In addition, when solution is poured in a container and then a presetamount of solution is sucked through a suction tool, the solutionremaining in the container is already exposed to air, and thus does notguarantee, if it is re-used for inspection, the accuracy of theinspection.

In addition, the conventional instrument is disadvantageous in that,since users need to, manually, step by step, perform the process oftransferring cells from the solution tube to the slide, the process:takes a relatively long time to complete; may transfer contaminants orimpurities from the user's hands to the slide; places non-uniformamounts of objects on the slide, overlapping on the slide, whichdecreases the accuracy of the inspection; and may damage the objects.

The conventional technology related to the present invention is KoreanPatent No. 10-1058409.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, andprovides an apparatus for placing objects to be examined, configured sothat the automatic means separates objects from a container containing amixed solution including objects to be examined (examination objects),such as cells, etc., and allows the slide to collect the examinationobjects.

The present invention further provides an examination object placingapparatus that blows, in the process of sucking and extracting objectsfrom a container, air to the objects, thereby forming a uniformdistribution state for the samples in the container.

In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, the presentinvention provides an apparatus for placing objects to be examined(examination objects) by blowing, comprising: a container fixing meansfor holding a container, wherein the container is equipped with a firstcap filter at the opening and contains a mixed solution with theexamination objects; a suction unit with an air ejecting and suckingmeans, wherein the air ejecting and sucking means: is coupled to afilter for letting a solution through and blocking the examinationobjects, in a state where the opening of the container containing themixed solution is coupled to the upper end of the filter; firstly ejectsair to the lower side of the filter to float the examination objects inthe container; and then secondly performs a suction operation to placethe examination objects inside the container on the filter; a blowerunit for generating, when a slide is located on the upper end of thefilter on which the examination objects are placed, positive pressure inthe lower end of the filter and placing the examination objects placedon the filter onto the slide; and a filter transfer means forsequentially transferring the filter onto the suction unit and theblower unit. The suction unit: is coupled to the filter in a state wherethe opening of the container is coupled to the filter; firstly expelsair to the filter so that the examination objects, settled in the firstcap filter of the container, are floated and uniformly spread in themixed solution; secondly sucks the examination objects from thecontainer; and places the examination objects on the filter.

In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, the suctionunit: secondly sucks the filter; moves down with the filter after theexamination objects are placed on the filter to separate the filter fromthe opening of the container; additionally sucks a solution andmaterials hindering the inspection, placed on the filter; and dischargesthe sucked solution and materials.

In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, in a statewhere the slide is located on the upper end of the filter on which theexamination objects are placed, when the blower unit firstly blows airto the filter, a collecting film of the filter swells and approaches theslide so that the examination objects are placed on the slide; and whenthe blower unit secondly blows air to the filter, the examinationobjects are uniformly spread on and simultaneously firmly placed ontothe slide.

In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, theexamination object placing apparatus further includes a ratio turbiditymeasurement means for measuring turbidity of the mixed solution todetermine the distribution ratio of the examination objects contained inthe mixed solution of the container.

In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, theexamination object placing apparatus further includes a barcoderecognition means for checking whether the barcodes attached to thecontainer and the slide match with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the apparatus forplacing objects to be examined by blowing, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , removing thefront door;

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a partially perspective view of the filter used in theapparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where the filter is coupled tothe opening of the container in the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the filter is separatedfrom the container in the apparatus for placing objects to be examinedby blowing, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a conception diagram showing a state where objects to beexamined are floated in the container as the suction unit blows air, inthe apparatus for placing an objects to be examined by blowing,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a concept diagram describes how a suction unit of theapparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing, according to anembodiment of the present invention, performs the first suction of amixed solution from a container and then the second suction of a filterin a state where the container and the filter are separated from eachother;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according an embodiment of the present invention,when the filter is moved to the blower unit;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according an embodiment of the present invention,when the blower unit moves up and the filter is close to the placementsurface of the slide; and

FIG. 11 shows a concept diagram (a) of states where examination objectson the filter are placed on the slide in the first blowing processperformed by a blower unit of the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing according an embodiment of the present invention;and a concept diagram (b) of states where the examination objects areuniformly spread on and firmly placed on the slide in the second blowingprocess performed by the blower unit.

<Brief description of symbols in the drawings> 10: container 11: firstcap filter 20: slide 50: filter 51: porous insert 52: support 52a:through-hole 54: coupling flange 58: circumferential coupling groove110: container fixing means 120: cap opening-closing means 130: filtertransfer rail 140: suction unit 141: flange 142: inner space 150: blowerunit 151: flange 152: inner space 153: nozzle 160: slide fixing means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Descriptions ofwell-known parts of the configurations may be omitted or providedbriefly to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the invention; however,it will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that they are usedfor the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the apparatus forplacing objects to be examined by blowing, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 , removing the front door; FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2 ; andFIG. 4 is a partially perspective view of the filter used in theapparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , an apparatus for placing objects to beexamined (hereafter called an examination object placing apparatus) 100according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a containerfixing means 110, a cap opening-closing means 120, a filter transfermeans (not shown), a suction unit 140, a blower unit 150 and a slidefixing means 160.

The container fixing means 110 is provided to hold a container 10 thatcontaining a mixed solution with examination objects such as cells. Themixed solution contained in the container 10 is formed as examinationobjects are mixed with a solution. The container fixing means 110: islocated above of the suction unit 140 that will be described below;supports the container 10 so that the opening of the container facesdown; and raises or lowers the container 10.

The container 10, used in the examination object placing apparatus 100according to an embodiment, is configured to include a first cap filter11 at the opening. The first cap filter 11 is formed with small holesfor preventing the mixed solution from being quickly poured out of theopening of the container 10 and filtering materials such as MUCUSdisturbing the inspection. When the suction unit 140 is operated, themixed solution in the container 10 flows out of the container 10 throughthe first cap filter 11.

The cap opening-closing means 120 is provided to open or close the capof the container 10 and is located below the container 10 fixed to thecontainer fixing means 110. The cap opening-closing means 120: is formedto move back and forth and is located below the container fixing means110; holds and turns the cap of the container 10 in a direction to openit; and moves back to original position so as not to disturb theattachment of the filter to the opened opening of the container 10.

The filter transfer means (not shown) is provided to transfer the filter50 onto the suction unit 140 and the blower unit 150 along the filtertransfer rail 130. The filter transfer means (not shown) is equippedwith a transfer bar (not shown) coming out/off in the width direction inorder to push the filter 50, located at the left of the suction unit140, to the suction unit 14 or the blower unit 150, where the transferbar pushes the filter 50 to the right and then moves back to theoriginal position.

The filter 50 is stacked and stored in the filter storing unit 180located at the left of the suction unit 140.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the filter 50 is configured in such a way that: acollecting film 59, which is transparent and has small holes of alaminate structure on the upper side, supported by a porous insert 51; asupport 52, having a number of through holes 52 a, is formed under theporous insert 51; and a coupling flange 54 is formed around the support52, where the coupling flange 54 is circumferentially protruded in theupper direction and can be inserted into the opening of the container 10containing a mixed solution with objects.

The filter 50 forms a circumferential coupling groove 58 on the lowerside of the filter 50, corresponding to the opposite side on which thecoupling flange 54 is formed, where the circumferential coupling groove58 is fitted into a protruded flange 141 circumferentially protrudedfrom the suction unit 140 which will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where the filter is coupled tothe opening of the container in the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the filter isseparated from the container in the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 7 is a conception diagram showing a state where objectsto be examined are floated in the container as the suction unit blowsair, in the apparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 , the suction unit 140 is provided toplace the examination objects on the filter 50. The suction unit 140forms a circumferentially protruded flange 141 on the upper end. Then asthe suction unit 140 moves up, the flange 141 is placed into thecircumferential coupling groove 58 of the lower end of the filter 50.The flange 141 forms an inner space 142 in the inside to form negativepressure. The inner space 142 communicates an air ejecting and suckingmeans (not shown). The air ejecting and sucking means is implementedwith a pump for ejecting and sucking air. When the filter 50 is placedon the suction unit 140, the suction unit 140 vertically moves up sothat a coupling flange 54 of the filter, protruded in the upperdirection, is tightly attached to the opening of the container 10, asshown in FIG. 5 .

When the filter 50, located at the upper portion of the suction unit140, is tightly attached to the opening of the container 10 containing amixed solution, the air ejecting and sucking means (not shown) expelsair to the filter 50, which is called a blowing process, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7 . That is, when the suction unit 140 expels air to thefilter 50, the air flows into the container 10 via the filter 50 throughthe opening of the container 10, so the examination objects, settled tothe first cap filter 11 of the container 10, are floated and uniformlyspread in the mixed solution in the container 10.

When the blowing process is terminated, the air ejecting and suckingmeans of suction unit 140 sucks air in the inner space 142 of the flange141, creating negative pressure in the inner space 142, so that themixed solution comes down out of the container 10, flowing through thefirst cap filter 11 of the container 10. When the mixed solution flowsthrough the first cap filter 11 of the container 10, it passes throughthe collecting film 59, the porous insert 51 and the through-holes 52 aof the support 52 of the filter 50 and is sucked into the suction unit140, and the examination objects remain on the collecting film 59because they do not pass through the collecting film 59.

Meanwhile, the suction unit 140 may be configured in such a way as todetect pressure in the inside through the pressure sensor (not shown) ofthe inside, and to control the process of placing examination objects onthe filter 50. That is, when the air ejecting and sucking means of thesuction unit 140 sucks air from the inner space 142, the examinationobjects are piled on the collecting film 59 of the filter 50 and blocksthe small holes of the collecting film 59. In that case, the inner spaceof the suction unit 140 gradually decreases in pressure. Therefore, whenthe pressure detected by the pressure sensor of the suction unit 140reaches a preset value of pressure, the air ejecting and sucking meansstops sucking air.

When the pressure detected by the pressure sensor of the suction unit140 reaches a preset value of pressure, it means that a required amountof the examination object has been placed on the collecting film 59 ofthe filter 50. The preset value of pressure, as a threshold for thesuction interruption, may vary according to types of objects and may beset and reset.

The air ejecting and sucking means of the suction unit 140 may repeatthe suction process one or more times in a state where the filter 50 andthe container 10 are tightly attached to each other. That is, performingand releasing the suction are alternatively repeated in order toincrease the amount of examination objects gathering on the collectingfilm 59 of the filter 50, and these processes are useful when the amountof mixed solution remaining in the container 10 is relatively small.That is, when a relatively small amount of mixed solution remains in thecontainer 10, a required amount of examination objects may not begathered on the collecting film 59 by generating negative pressure onlyonce. Therefore, as the suction means repeats the performing andreleasing processes of suction, tension and relaxation are repeatedlygenerated in the filter 50 and the first cap filter 11, so that,although a relatively small amount of mixed solution remains in thecontainer 10, the largest possible remaining amount of examinationobjects can be gathered on the collecting film 59. The repetition numberof suction by the air ejecting and sucking means may be set or reset.

When the examination objects in mixed solution contained in thecontainer 10 are placed on the filter 50 by the suction unit 140, thecontainer fixing means 110 moves the container 10 up and thus the filter50 is separated from the opening of the container 10.

FIG. 8 is a concept diagram describes how a suction unit of theapparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing, according to anembodiment of the present invention, performs the first suction of amixed solution from a container and then the second suction of a filterin a state where the container and the filter are separated from eachother.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , in a state where the filter 50 is separatedfrom the opening of the container 10, the suction unit 140 additionallyre-performs a suction process with a proper level of suction force (or aproper amount of suction). When the suction unit 140 additionallyperforms a suction process in a state where the filter 50 is separatedfrom the container 10, it sucks a solution and materials hindering theinspection, except for the examination objects remaining on thecollecting film 59 of the filter 50, so that only the examinationobjects and a small amount of liquid required for the inspection areleft on the collecting film 59 of the filter 50. If the suction unit 140sucks the mixed solution from the container 10 and moves the filter 50with the collecting film 59 on which the mixed solution is placed andapplies a placing process to the slide, it is difficult to place theslide with pure examination objects due to the solution and materialshindering the inspection. When an excessive amount of solution exists onthe collecting film 59 of the filter 50, the solution is widely spreadover the attachment area on the slide 20 to which the examinationobjects are attached during the attachment of examination objects on theslide 20. Therefore, the examination objects are distributed over auseless area out of observation; and the examination objects are notwell transferred from the filter 50 to the slide 20 by air ejection; andthe ratio of attachment of examination objects to the slide 20 is, whenthe examination objects are transferred, decreased because of thesolution.

When completing the additional suction process, the suction unit 140moves down and is thus separated from the filter 50. The filter transfermeans (not shown) transfers the filter 50 with the examination objectsto the lower side of the slide fixing means 160 and simultaneously theupper side of the blower unit 150.

The slide fixing means 160 located at the upper end of the blower unit150 is opened downward and supports the slide 20 so that the placementsurface of the slide 20 is exposed down.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing, according an embodiment of the present invention,when the filter is moved to the flower unit. FIG. 10 is a front viewshowing the apparatus for placing objects to be examined by blowing,according an embodiment of the present invention, when the blower unitmoves up and the filter is close to the placement surface of the slide.FIG. 11 shows a concept diagram (a) of states where examination objectson the filter are placed on the slide in the first blowing processperformed by a blower unit of the apparatus for placing objects to beexamined by blowing according an embodiment of the present invention;and a concept diagram (b) of states where the examination objects areuniformly spread on and firmly placed on the slide in the second blowingprocess performed by the blower unit.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10 , the blower unit 150 is provided to ejectair to the filter 50 to transfer the examination objects placed on thefilter 50 to the slide 20. The blower unit 150 forms a circumferentiallyprotruded flange 151 at the upper end and is equipped with a space 152for generating positive pressure in the inside of the flange 151.

When the filter 50 is transferred to the upper part of the blower unit150 and then the blower unit 150 moves up, the circumferentiallyprotruded flange 151 of the upper end of the blower unit 150 is coupledto the circumferentially coupling groove 58 of the lower end of thefilter 50. As such, the blower unit 150 is vertically moved up to placethe filter 50 on the top and then moves up with the filter 50, so thatthe collecting film 59 on the upper part of the filter 50 is close tothe placement surface of the slide 20. After that, the blower unit 150performs the first ejection of air to the lower side of the filter 50.When the air is ejected to the filter 50, the collecting film 59 of thefilter 50 swells upward; a dielectric polarization phenomenonsimultaneously occurs between the collecting film 59 and the placementsurface of the slide 20; the examination objects are transferred,without deformation, as a single layer, to the placement surface of theslide 20 and then attached to the surface (as shown in FIG. 11(a)).

After completing the first air ejection, the collecting film 59 remainswithout any operation for a certain period of time. In that case, thecollecting film 59 is tightly attached to the porous insert 51. Afterthat, the second ejection of air is performed. The second air ejectionis a process to re-expel air to the examination objects placed on theplacement surface of the slide 20. The second air ejection is touniformly spread the placed examination objects on the slide 20 withoutmaking a lump and, simultaneously, to firmly attach the examinationobjects onto the slide 20 (as shown in FIG. 11 (b)).

As such, the examination objects located on the collecting film 59 ofthe filter 50 are placed on the placement surface of the slide 20 by theair ejection of the blower unit 150.

The ejection amount of air and the ejection number of air from thenozzle 153 of the blower unit 150 may be pre-set according to types ofexamination objects.

As such, since the examination objects are placed on the placementsurface of the slide 20 by the blower unit 150 in a state where thefilter 50 and the placement surface of the slide 20 are minutely spacedapart from each other, damage of examination objects, such damage causedby pressing the examination objects, can be prevented as much aspossible, and instead the examination objects can be uniformlydistributed and attached onto the placement surface of the slide 20 byair pressure.

When the examination objects, placed on the collecting film 59 of thefilter 50, are transferred and placed onto the placement surface of theslide 20 by the blower unit 150, the blower unit 150 moves down back tothe original position and the filter 50 on the blower unit 150 is, forthe following process, pushed by a new filter 50 transferred by thefilter transfer means (not shown) and falls down in the filtercollecting box (not shown).

Meanwhile, the suction unit 140 and the blower unit 150 each includes atthe lower end: a means for vertically transferring the suction unit 140and the blower unit 150; a means for sucking or discharging air throughthe nozzle 153 of the blower unit 150 and the air ejecting and suckingmeans (not shown) of the suction unit 140, in other word a means forcontrolling air pressure; and a means for collecting liquid dropped intothe inner space 142 of the suction unit 140. The means for verticallymoving the suction unit 140 and the blower unit 150 may be implementedwith various types of means, such as an air pressure cylinder, a liquidpressure cylinder, a lead screw, etc.

Meanwhile, the examination object placing apparatus 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention includes touch-screen based displaymeans 1 and 2 and a control means (not shown).

The control means controls the respective components according toinstructions input to the display means 1 and 2.

In addition, the control means stores numerals and instructions codedfor controlling the respective components through a program. Accordingto instructions input to a display means 220, the programmed content anda measurement by a pressure sensor, the control means: controls a filtertransfer means (not shown); controls a cap opening-closing means 120;transfers the suction unit 140; controls the air ejection amount, theair suction amount, the number of air ejections, and the number of airsuctions by the air ejecting and sucking means (not shown); transfersthe blower unit 150; controls the amount of air discharge and the numberof air collections through the nozzle; etc. The control means maytransmit various working states to the display means 220, so that theuser can view the working states through the display means 220.

In the following description, a process is explained that placesexamination objects on a slide by using an apparatus for placing objectto be examined by using blowing, according to the present invention.

The container 10, containing a mixed solution with examination objects,such as cells, is fixed, with the opening facing down, to a containerfixing means 110.

The cap opening-closing means 120 moves forward to the below of thecontainer 10 fixed to the cap fixing means 110, holds and turns the capof the container 10 in a direction to open the cap from the container10, and then moves back in the rear direction.

The filter transfer means (not shown) transfers the filter 50 to thesuction unit 140.

As the suction unit 140 moves up, the flange 141 of the suction unit 140is coupled to the circumferentially coupling groove 58 of the lower endof the filter 50. When the filter 50 is coupled to the suction unit 140,the suction unit 140 is vertically moved up and thus the coupling flange54, protruded in the upper direction along the filter 50, is tightlyclosed to the opening of the container 10.

When the filter 50 is tightly closed to the opening of the container 10,the suction unit 140 expels air through the filter 50 to the inside ofthe container 10, so that examination objects 190 settled in the firstcap filter 11 of the container 10 are floated and thus uniformly spreadin the mixed solution.

That is, since the container 10 is fixed, with the opening facing down,to the container fixing means 110, the examination objects inside thecontainer 10 are settled down in the bottom of the first cap filter 11of the container 10. Therefore, since the first cap filter 11 of thecontainer 10 has examination objects with a relatively high level ofdensity, a relatively large amount of examination objects is dischargedto the filter 50 by the first suction of the suction unit 140 and then arelatively small amount of examination objects is discharged to thefilter 50 by the second suction. That is, initially the examinationobjects are excessively and densely gathered in the first cap filter 11of the container 10, so that the first suction process discharges arelatively large amount of examination objects, and the followingsuction processes discharges the remarkably decreased amount ofexamination objects. As such, in order to prevent a large deviation inthe amount of examination objects from being generated each time thesuction is performed, the present invention performs a blowing processso that the examination objects settled in the first cap filter 11 areuniformly spread over the entire area of the mixed solution as shown inFIG. 7 , before the suction unit 140 performs a suction process.Therefore, when a number of suctions are performed to suck the mixedsolution from the container 10, the same amount of examination objectsto be placed on the filter 50, forming the same distribution ratio, issucked each time the suction is performed, thereby ensuring the samenessof the examination objects in extraction.

When the blowing process by the suction unit 140 is terminated, the airejecting and sucking means (not shown) of the suction unit 140 sucks theair from the inner space of the flange 141, so that the mixed solutionflows down out from the container 10, passing through the first capfilter 11 of the container 10.

The examination objects flowing down out of the container 10 are placedon the collecting film 59 of the filter 50.

When the inner pressure of the suction unit 140 reaches a preset valueof pressure, the suction process by the suction unit 140 is stopped, andthen the suction unit 140 moves down, so that the filter 50 is separatedfrom the opening of the container 10.

In a state where the filter 50 is separated from the opening of thecontainer 10, the suction unit 140 additionally re-performs a suctionprocess with a proper level of suction force (or a proper amount ofsuction) to additionally suck and discharges a solution and materialshindering the inspection remaining on the collecting film 59 of thefilter 50, so that only the examination objects and a small amount ofliquid required for the inspection are left on the collecting film 59 ofthe filter 50 as shown in FIG. 8 .

When completing the additional suction process, the suction unit 140moves down and is thus separated from the filter 50. The filter transfermeans (not shown) transfers the filter 50 to a space between the slide20 and the blower unit 150.

After that, the blower unit 150 is vertically moved up so that thefilter 50 is coupled to the upper end of the blower unit 150, and thenmoves up with the filter 50, so that the collecting film 59 of thefilter 50 is close to the placement surface of the slide 20. As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 , the blower unit 150 performs the first ejection of airto the lower side of the filter 50, so that the collecting film 59 ofthe filter 50 swells upward, and simultaneously this causes aninstantaneous dielectric polarization phenomenon, so that theexamination objects are transferred, without deformation, as a singlelayer, to the placement surface of the slide 20 and then attached to thesurface of the slide 20.

After a period of time for pause has elapsed from time that the firstair ejection process is terminated, the blower unit 150 re-performs thesecond ejection of air. The second air ejection by the blower unit 150allows the examination objects 190 placed on the placement surface ofthe slide 20 to be uniformly spread on the slide 20 without creating anylumps and to be firmly attached onto the slide 20.

When the examination objects from the filter 50 have been placed ontothe placement surface of the slide 20 by the blower unit 150, the blowerunit 150 moves down and is separated from the filter 50, and the filter50 is pushed by a new filter 50 transferred by the filter transfer means(not shown) and falls down in the filter collecting box.

As described in detail above, since the apparatus according to thepresent invention performs a blowing process before the suction unit 140performs a suction process, the examination objects settled in the firstcap filter 11 of the container 10 are floated and uniformly spread inthe entire area of the mixed solution, thereby ensuring the sameness ofthe examination objects extracted by every suction.

The examination object placing apparatus of the present inventionincludes a container storing examination objects. The container isequipped with the first cap filter. Since the container is installed sothat the opening faces down, the examination objects are unavoidablysettled in the first cap filter. When a suction process is performed ina state where the examination objects are settled in the first capfilter, a relatively large amount of examination objects is sucked,compared with the suction amount of mixed solution. When the filter isreplaced with a new filter and the suction process by the suction unitis performed a certain number of times in the way described above,although the same amount of mixed solution is sucked, the amount ofsucked examination objects continues to decrease each time the suctionis performed. That is, a problem exists where the first suction processsucks an excessively large amount of examination objects to be placed onthe slide and the following suction processes acquire decreased amountof examination objects each time that the suction process is repeated.That is, the problem is that the sameness of the acquired amount ofexamination objects is not guaranteed.

The present invention resolves the problems described above.

When the suction unit of the present invention places examinationobjects from the container to the filter, the suction unit firstlyperforms a blowing process for expelling air to the filter, so that theexamination objects, settled in the first cap filter of the container,are floated in the mixed solution and thus uniformly spread in the mixedsolution. In a state where the examination objects are uniformly spreadin the mixed solution, the suction unit secondly sucks the mixedsolution, thereby placing the examination objects on the filter.Therefore, each time that the suction unit performs a suction process, auniform amount of examination objects is placed on the filter, which isa remarkable advantage.

In addition, when the suction unit 140 sucks a mixed solution andperforms the placement process to the filter 50, the suction unit 140performs an additional suction process in a state where the container 10and the filter 50 are separated from each other, so that a solution andmaterials hindering the inspection, remaining on the filter 50, areremoved from the filter 50. Therefore, the examination objects can beplaced at the precise location on the slide 20 with a high level ofyield. In addition, the purity of the examination objects placed on theslide can be increased.

In addition, by using a pressure sensor, only a certain amount ofobjects may be placed on the filter 50 and then placed on the slide 20.

Since objects can be spread uniformly, without overlapping, on the slide20, by air pressure, the accuracy of inspection can be improved.

In addition, since objects can be placed on the slide 20 by airpressure, no physical contact is made with the objects, so that theobjects are not damaged.

Although a small amount of the objects are contained in the mixedsolution, almost the entire amount of the objects remaining in thecontainer may be placed on the filter by repeating the generating ofnegative pressure a number of times. Since the objects are placed on theslide 20 by instantaneous air pressure, which differs from conventionalmethods, the velocity of movement is remarkably increased and most ofthe examination objects placed on the filter 50 are transferred to theslide 20. Since most of the examination objects placed on the filter 50are transferred to the slide 20, the remaining amount of examinationobjects on the filter 50 is very small. Therefore, the efficiency oftransferring objects from the filter 50 to the slide 20 is improved.

According to the present invention, cells from the container 10containing a mixed solution where a solution is mixed with objects, suchas cells, etc., are separated from the container 10 and collected on theslide 20, which is performed through automated processes. Therefore, theprocess time is shortened and there is no concern regarding the transferof contaminants or impurities from the user's hands to the slide 20.

In addition, the examination object placing apparatus according to thepresent invention may be equipped with a ratio turbidity measurementmeans (not shown) that measures the amount of examination objects, suchas cells, in a container in which a mixed solution is contained. Theratio turbidity measurement means, installed in the vicinity of thecontainer fixing means, measures the turbidity of the mixed solutioncontained in the container and determines whether the distribution ratioof the examination objects in the mixed solution is high or low. Whenthe level of turbidity measured by the ratio turbidity measurement meansis high, the examination object placing apparatus ascertains that arelative large amount of examination objects is contained in the mixedsolution. When the level of turbidity measured by the ratio turbiditymeasurement means is low, the examination object placing apparatusascertains that a relative small amount of examination objects iscontained in the mixed solution. When the examination object placingapparatus ascertains that the level of turbidity measured by the ratioturbidity measurement means is high and thus that a relative largeamount of examination objects is contained in the mixed solution, asufficient amount of examination objects can be placed on the filteralthough the strength of suction by the suction unit is low. Therefore,the control means sets the suction strength of the suction unit to below. When the level of turbidity measured by the ratio turbiditymeasurement means is low, the control means sets the suction strength ofthe suction unit to be high. Accordingly, although the level ofturbidity varies, a proper amount of cells to be examined can beextracted from the container and the cells to be examined can be placed,with a single layer, on the filter and the slide. The ratio turbiditymeasurement means (or transparency measurement means) may be implementedwith various types of instruments which are well-known, and thus thedetailed description will be omitted.

In addition, the examination object placing apparatus according to thepresent invention may be equipped with a barcode recognition means (notshown). In this case the mixed solution container and the slide havebarcodes recording information. The barcode recognition means reads thebarcodes from the mixed solution container and the slide respectivelyand compares them with each other to check whether they are matched witheach other. Therefore, although the examination object placing apparatussimultaneously processes a varied amount of examination objects, thebarcode recognition means can prevent respective examination objectsfrom being mixed, thereby securing the reliability of inspection. Thebarcode recognition means may be implemented with various types of meanswhich are well-known, and thus the detailed description will be omitted.The barcode recognition means may be installed to a proper location,such as the vicinity of slide fixing means and the container fixingmeans, in order to read the barcodes attached to the slide and thecontainer.

The present invention has the following advantages.

First, since the present invention blows the air to the mixed solutioncontaining samples stored in the container, it can uniformly spread thesamples in the mixed solution of the container and thus ensure thesameness of the objects to be extracted.

When the present invention sucks a mixed solution from a containerthrough a filter in order to extract samples, it separates the filterfrom the container and performs an additional suction process,irrespective of the suction process for extraction; additionally removesthe materials hindering the inspection and the extracted excessivesolution on the filter; and thus places the extracted samples on theslide with a relatively high degree of purity.

In addition, since the present invention displays, in real-time, thecontrol and operation processes of the apparatus on the display, theuser can easily operate the apparatus, while viewing the currentoperation states in real-time.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in detailabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications ofthe basic inventive concept herein described, which may be apparent tothose skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope ofthe embodiments of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated method comprising: delivering fluidinto a container to spread apart examination objects in a liquid held bythe container; drawing at least some of the liquid through a filter tocause at least some of the examination objects to collect along acollection surface of the filter; robotically transporting the filteraway from the container while the filter carries the collectedexamination objects; and after the filter has been transported away fromthe container, delivering fluid through the filter to cause a portion ofthe filter to bulge toward a microscope slide and the collectedexamination objects to be transferred to a surface of the microscopeslide.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising after transferringthe collected examination objects to the surface of the microscopeslide, delivering additional fluid toward the microscope slide to spreadthe transferred collected examination objects along the surface of themicroscope slide.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of thefilter is spaced apart from the surface of the microscope slide when thecollected examination objects are transferred to the surface of themicroscope slide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of thefilter includes a collection film that bulges toward the surface of themicroscope slide to facilitate transfer of a single layer of thecollected examination objects to the surface of the microscope slide. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering a sufficient flowof the fluid through the filter to cause expansion of the filter priorto the collected examination objects being transferred to the surface ofthe microscope slide.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the filterincludes a porous member and a collection member overlying the porousmember, wherein at least a portion of the collection member is movedaway from the porous member by the fluid delivered through the filter.7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: delivering the fluid in anupward direction into the container to cause the examination objects tospread apart upwardly in the liquid held by the container, and applyinga vacuum at lower end of the container to draw the liquid in a downwarddirection through the filter.
 8. A system for transferring objects to amicroscope slide, the system comprising: an apparatus configured to holda container; and at least one controller programmed to cause theapparatus to perform a process including: delivering fluid into thecontainer to spread apart examination objects in a liquid held by thecontainer; drawing at least some of the liquid through a filter to causeat least some of the examination objects to collect along a collectionsurface of the filter; robotically transporting the filter away from thecontainer while the filter carries the collected examination objects;and after the filter has been moved away from the container, deliveringfluid through the filter to cause a portion of the filter to bulgetoward a microscope slide and the collected examination objects to betransferred to a surface of the microscope slide.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the process further comprises after the collected examinationobjects are transferred to the surface of the microscope slide,delivering additional fluid toward the surface of the microscope slideto spread the transferred collected examination objects along thesurface of the microscope slide.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein theprocess includes spacing apart the portion of the filter from thesurface of the microscope slide when the collected examination objectsare transferred to the surface of the microscope slide.
 11. The systemof claim 8, wherein the portion of filter includes a collection filmthat bulges toward the surface of the microscope slide to facilitatetransfer a single layer of the collected examination objects to thesurface of the microscope slide.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein theprocess includes delivering a sufficient flow of fluid through thefilter to cause expansion of the filter prior to the collectedexamination objects being transferred to the surface of the microscopeslide.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter includes a porousmember and a collection member overlying the porous member, wherein atleast a portion of the collection member is moved away from the porousmember by the fluid delivered through the filter.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the process includes: delivering the fluid in an upwarddirection into the container to cause the examination objects to spreadapart upwardly in the liquid held by the container; and applying avacuum at lower end of the container to draw the liquid in a downwarddirection through the filter to collect examination objects.
 15. Anautomated method comprising: delivering fluid into a container to spreadapart examination objects in a liquid held by the container; drawing atleast some of the liquid through a filter to collect at least some ofthe examination objects along the filter; robotically transporting thefilter away from the container while the filter carries the collectedexamination objects; and after the filter has been transported away fromthe container, delivering fluid through the filter to cause expansion ofthe filter and the collected examination objects to be transferred fromthe expanded filter to a surface of a microscope slide.
 16. Theautomated method of claim 15, wherein the filter has layers that moveapart as the filter expands.
 17. The automated method of claim 15,wherein the fluid is delivered upwardly into the container to cause theexamination objects to move upwardly through the liquid.
 18. Theautomated method of claim 15, further comprising holding the filterspaced apart from the surface of the microscope slide while deliveringthe fluid through the filter.